Libya releases 4 U.S. military personnel

Four U.S. military personnel investigating potential evacuation routes in Libya were briefly detained and released Friday, according to the Associated Press.

ADVERTISEMENT

The military personnel were operating in an area near the coastal city of Sabratha in northwestern Libya as part of security preparedness efforts when they were taken into custody, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

"We are still trying to ascertain the facts of the incident," Psaki added.

No one was injured. The four were supporting U.S. Marine security forces protecting the American Embassy when an altercation took place at the checkpoint, a Defense Department official said.